January 2007

RHO CHI SOCIETY News and Updates

Volume 2006-2007 Number 2
January 2007

The Rho Chi Society News and Updates is an electronic service of the Society’s National Office. News and Updates is electronically disseminated to Faculty Advisors, Chapter Officers, and Deans in September and in January. The Society’s National Office can be contacted via email at RhoChi@unc.edu or by phone at (919) 843-9001.

The Society’s Annual Meeting (“National Convention”) will be held in conjunction with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for March 16-20, 2007. The Society’s Annual Meeting will be held from 3:00-5:30 PM on Sunday, March 18, 2007. This is the business meeting of the Society which Chapter Delegates and Alternates, Advisors, National Officers, members and guests are encouraged to attend and to actively participate in Society discussions. Please note that the day and time of the Society’s Annual Meeting unavoidably conflicts with the APhA-ASP House of Delegates – First Session. (This conflict cannot be avoided for 2007.)

Information regarding registration, housing, programs, etc. for the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition can be found on the APhA Website (www.aphameeting.org/). Note: Meeting plans for the Rho Chi Society have changed since publication by APhA of information (Web or print) about the APhA Annual Meeting. Due to the shortened format of the APhA Meeting, the Society will not hold its traditional Awards Luncheon (nor a dinner as APhA shows). Members of the Executive Council will meet informally on Monday, March 19, 2007, at 12:00 Noon ( not 8:30 AM as APhA shows).

CHAPTER DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES

Each chapter is expected to have a delegate present for the Annual Meeting. In accord with National Bylaws, chapters not in attendance for three consecutive years are placed on probation and are not eligible to elect and induct new members. A record of chapter attendance for each of the past three years is posted on the Society’s Website, www.RhoChi.org, for review. (Click on the link to “Upcoming Meetings”).

By March 5, 2007, each chapter should contact the National Office to register the chapter’s official Delegate and Alternate. An on-line registration form can be found on the Society’s Website for that purpose. (Please see “Resources for Advisors and Officers/Chapter Instructions.”) If you cannot access the Website or have problems submitting the form, please send an e-mail to RhoChi@unc.edu and include: the name of the chapter (in the email subject line), the name of the university, the names of the delegate and alternate delegate, email addresses for each one, the name of the chapter president, the email address of the chapter president, the name of the faculty advisor and her/his email address. Delegates’, Alternates’, and Presidents’ names will be added to the Px-Officers e-mail listserv as they become available. Communications from the National Office regarding the National Meeting and other Society business will be communicated via this listserv.

THE RHO CHI SOCIETY LECTURE AWARD

As one of its highest distinctions, the Rho Chi Society Lecture Award seeks to encourage and recognize outstanding achievement by distinguished scholars from the fields of the arts, letters, or sciences who have made significant contributions to the health professions. The Rho Chi Society Lecture Award for 2007 will be presented during the Society’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 18. Further information about the award and a list of past recipients can be found on the Society’s Website.

ELECTION OF NATIONAL OFFICERS FOR 2007-2009

Election for Executive Council offices listed below will be held during the Society’s Annual Meeting. A Sample Ballot, which will include biographical sketches, will be sent to Delegates and Alternates prior to the Annual Meeting.

National Historian

National Secretary

Region I Councilor (Northeastern Section)

Region III Councilor (Southeastern Section)

Region V Councilor (Mid-Western Section)

Region VII Councilor (Northwestern Section)

2006-2007 CHAPTER AWARDS

The Society recognizes member chapters through two awards, the Chapter Achievement Award and the Chapter Proposal Award. The Chapter Achievement Award is made on the basis of annual reports submitted by chapters documenting their accomplishments. Chapter project proposals either describe a detailed plan of action to develop programs and activities that support the mission and vision of the Society or describe programs and activities that are in the early stages of implementation. Chapter proposals may be submitted for the February 1, 2007, or for the June 1, 2007, deadline. Complete information regarding Chapter Awards is available via www.RhoChi.org. Chapter project proposals should be sent to:

The deadline for submission of applications for the Rho Chi, Schering Plough, AFPE First-Year Scholarship is February 1. (Note: The deadline of February 17, published on the AFPE Website is not correct.) Complete information regarding this scholarship can be found on the Rho Chi Website.

CLINICAL RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

The deadline for submission of applications for the Rho Chi, Eli Lilly & Company Clinical Research Scholarship is February 1. Complete information regarding this scholarship can be found on the Rho Chi Website.

RHO CHI ALUMNI HONOR ROLL

The Society through its vision and mission seeks universal recognition of its members as lifelongintellectual leaders in pharmacy, and as a community of scholars, to instill the desire to pursue intellectualexcellence and critical inquiry to advance the profession. The Alumni Honor Roll was developed as one means to bring greater recognition to the accomplishments of our members. Background information regarding the Honor Roll, selection criteria and nomination were sent to Chapters via the listserv in the Fall Semester. Chapters are urged to identify and nominate one alumnus annually who has “advanced the profession through intellectual leadership and the pursuit of excellence.” To nominate an alumnus of your chapter to the Rho Chi Alumni Honor Roll, the following information is requested. The deadline is February 15, 2007.

The purpose of the Rho Chi Society National Faculty Advisor Award is to recognize outstanding faculty advisors. The award is also designed to stimulate chapter activity, diligence, and punctuality. Individuals nominated for the Rho Chi Society National Faculty Advisor Award must be a current chapter advisor. Nominations can be submitted by Rho Chi Chapter Presidents, Rho Chi Regional Councilors, Rho Chi National Officers, and Deans. The recipient will be recognized at the Rho Chi Society Annual Meeting and during the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Rho Chi Advisor’s Meeting. Criteria for selection include, but are not necessarily limited to:

a record of at least two years of helping to build leadership in Chapter offices

stimulating members to develop unique Chapter programs

perseverance in building a strong chapter

punctuality in submitting reports and materials to the National Office

The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2007. Past recipients and further details are available at www.RhoChi.org.

GRADUATION HONOR CORDS AND MEDALLIONS

Graduation Honor Cords are available for purchase by local chapters for 2007 commencement programs. Chapters should check with their college or university’s Commencement Office to be sure Honor Cords can be worn at the ceremonies. The cost to Chapters for honor cords will be $10.75 per set, which includes shipping.

As an alternative to honor cords, the Society has honor medallions available for purchase by chapters to be worn at graduation o as commemorative gifts. Please visit the “Catalogue” on the Website to preview the medallions. The cost to Chapters is $20.00 per medallion, which includes shipping.

CHAPTER OFFICERS

Chapters are encouraged to plan activities that enhance the mission of the Rho Chi Society. Please make use of the Society’s Website for information that you might need about the Society. Officers are always welcome to contact the National Office via email or telephone for any assistance they may need.

Spring is usually a very busy time of the year for chapters as many will elect new members during this time. Please allow ample time for the National Office to process your new member election reports and order your pins and certificates. It is not only an expectation, but an induction ceremony is made more auspicious when a new member is able to receive his/her pin and certificate at that time. If you have any questions concerning the process for electing and reporting new members, please visit the Website or contact the National Office (919-843-9001).

Please be sure your chapter has submitted your 2006-2007 roster of officers to the National Office. If your current President’s name has not been submitted to the National Office, please go to the Website and submit the information or send an email to RhoChi@unc.edu. In addition to your faculty advisor, your chapter president is an essential link in communications between the Society and your members.

CHAPTER REPORTS

Annual reports for chapter will be due in the National Office by May 15, 2007. Reminders, including a suggested format, will be sent via the Listserv to Chapter Advisors and Presidents.

WEBSITE

The Society’s Website (www.RhoChi.org) is undergoing extensive changes which will continue in the months ahead. Please take an opportunity to review the changes to date and give us your feedback.

One feature of the new site is the ability to display pictures of chapter activities on the Website that cycle on a random basis. The National Office welcomes submission photographs in a JPEG format from member chapters that will be considered for display on the Website. Photographs sought are those representative of chapter activities and functions consistent with the Society’s values and mission.